Apparatus for sorting or separating solid substances.



R. E. TROTTIER.

APPARATUS FOR SOB TING 0R SEPARATING SOLID SUBSTANCES. APPLICATION man 05cm. 1911..

LQ6L3Q Patented. Apr. 2,1918.

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RENE EMILE. TROTTIEB, OF PUTEAUX, FRANCE.

Application fiiedDecember 27, 1317.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ram EMILE TROT- TIER, citizen of the Republic of France and resident of ea Rue de la Rpublique, Puteaux, Seine, in the said Republic, engineer, have invented new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Apparatus for Sorting or Separating Solid Substances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for sorting or separating, either in the air or in liquid, various substances or materials by means of reciprocating or oscillating sieves, grids, riiiled. or smooth surfaced tables or the like appliances, and it consists in a device that is adapted to be attached to such appliances in a manner to support them and to impart to them compound or varying movements that will tend to reduce as far as possible adhesion between particles of which the materials .under treatment are composed in order to set them free one from another. The device is arranged to operate in such a manner that the path traversed by any point of the sieve or other sorting appliance during the latters movement to the front will be different from the path traversed by the same point during the movement of the appliance to the rear. The movements imparted by the device to the sorting appliance may either resemble those given by hand to a shovel in operations of pitching materials forwardly and wherein the return or last part of a pitching movement of the shovel is along a path situated below the first or forward part, or be similar to the movements of ahand shovel in vanning operations. wherein the path of return or last part of the movement is to a great extent above the first part.

The number of possible industrial applications of the invention is large, for various ores, earths, grains, cereals, ground products and other substances can be classified by weight or equivalence, and if desired, according to their form, either in the air or in a liq id. i i

Hitherto, in all known apparatus the sorting has been effected by sliding the materials or substances along While subjecting them to oscillatory or shaking movements or a succession of shocks. Such movements are generally sufficient to overcome resistances due to friction, but not suflicient to reduce to the necessary extent those due to capillarity. Experience, corroborated by Specification of Letters riatent.

Patentednpr. 2, i918.

sci-mine. 209,151. b

theory, shows that a limit is soon reached, which it is impossible to exceed owing to the fact that the retentive power due to capillary action increases in direct ratio with the decrease in the dimensions of the particles, while that due to friction, on the contrary, becomes negligible.

Accordingly, to separate particles, it is necessary to increase the number of oscillations and consequently to diminish their amplitude with the risk of injuring the ma chine.

According to the system of this invention, the projection of the particles is effected by causing them to traverse an adjustable path, and not by means of a sliding movement, whereby the adhesive properties are overcome no matter how small the dimensions of the particles may be. The particles are stirred up and freed in such a manner that they can undergo any desired washing or separation.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 to 6 inclusive represent diagrammatically the paths that would be traversed by a point fixed on the sorting appliance carried by my improved device, when operated to effect a vanning-like movement,

. Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive represent diagrammatically the paths that would be traversed by the said point when the device is operated to efiect a pitching. movement,

Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive represent dia grammatically the movements of points fixed on several well known sorting appliances now in common use,

Fig. 16 represents an elevation, partly in section, of a device constructed according to the invention, for controlling the movements of a sieve or other sorting appliance, and

Figs. 17 and 18 represent, respectively, side and end elevations of a table and its adjacent mechanism for adjusting the in clination in two directions, which can be attached to the device shown in Fig. 16.

A device constructed and operating ac cording to the present invention consists of the following parts :(1) a framework on which is fixed the sieve or other separating appliance and which is first pulled rearwardly at each turn of a cam shaft, then drawn sharply forward by springs which are tensioned' or set by the first rearward ill) movement; (2) a second framework arranged below the first, which has in front articulated spring-returned beak-like members and which pairs of toggle links connect on the one hand to the upper framework and on the other hand to the fixed base of the apparatus; (3) an abutment piece pivoted between its ends about a horizontal axis or spindle on the front of the apparatus and at a level intermediate of the two frames, the normal position of the abutment piece being such that one arm or branch thereof is above the axis and the other arm or branch below; 1) a carrier adapted to roll 011 the base of the apparatus and which pairs of toggle links connect to fixed points in the base of the apparatus, the common axes or spindles of articulation of the toggle links being arranged normally to bear against the upper frame which the links thus support; (5) an adjustable spring which draws forward the upper frame as soon as the cam ceases to cause it to be pulled rearwardly; (6) an adjustable spring interposed between the upper frame and the device which draws it back; (7 an adjustable spring that tends to turn the abutment piece in a manner to bring a depending member secured to the said piece toward the front; (8) a spring which tends to draw the carrier toward the front and thus retain the axes or spindles of articulation of its toggle links in contact with the bottom of the upper frame.

When the cam ceases to act in a manner to cause the upper frame to be moved rearwardly, this frame is drawn forward by its spring against the upper branch of the abutment piece, which turns on its axis and pushes the said branch forward while slid ing up it. If the spindle of the abutment piece be so positioned, or the length of the lower branch of the piece be of such length that the said branch is opposite the front of the lower frame, then the result of the above movement of the upper frame will be that the lower branch of the abutment piece will push the lower frame rearwardly, which movement straightens the pairs of toggle links which connect the two frames to the fixed base of the apparatus, which frames consequently rise. The horizontal movements of the frames are thus transformed into a vertical movement by a force having a large vertical component which varies at each moment and can be modified at will by the aid of the several regulating means provided. During the following rearward or return movement which is effected by the cam, the frames are lowered, so that during the to and fro movements any point of the sieve or other sorting appliance fixed to the upper frame traces a closed curve whose general direction approaches the vertical. Such a point will rise and fall following two different paths, that is to say,

the return path lies for the greater portion of its length above the other path, the movement being similar tothat of a shovel used in a vanning operation.

If, however, the position of the spindle of the abutment piece be such that the lower frame will not at about the end of its fall be opposed to the lower branch of the abutment piece but will be clear of and free to pass below the lower end of the latter, then the lower frame sharply escapes forward causing a rapid fall of the upper frame through the action of the connecting toggle links.

Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawing represent diagrams of paths that would be traced or traversed by a point fixed on the sorting appliance carried by the device, in a case where the movement is a vanning-like movement and the lower branch of the abutment piece pushes back the lower frame during the whole of its fall as explained above. These paths differ according as the apparatus, working at a speed of 220 turns a minute, is adjusted. The curve in Fig. 6, in particular, with its numerous diversions, gives results which would require a speed of the driving shaft of 1500 turns a minute in similar apparatus having ordinary known movements.

Figs. 7-11 represent paths that would be traced out or traversed by a fixed point on the sorting appliance in a case where there is a pitching movement and the lower frame s free to pass below the lower end of the abutment piece, as explained above, and the speed of the driving shaft is from 110 to 220 turns a minute. V

Figs. 12 to 15 represent, for comparison sake, the movement made by each point of a sieve or equivalent appliance of known machines in use at the present day. The diagram in Fig. 12 relates to apparatus working at 2&0 turns a minute. Fig. 13 shows paths obtained from differently supported frames of two other machines, working at L00 turns. Fig. 14 is a fourth kind of machine working at 200 turns; the curve cab in dicates the path traversed by one of the side edges of the table and the curve co the path traversed bythe other edge. Fig. 15 refers to a fifth type of machine with a speed of 1500 turns. In each of these figures the path traversed is the same in both directions or only differs (as in the case of Fig. 14) very slightly and the paths have nothing in common with those resulting from the system of the present invention.

The device comprises a rigid frame 1, preferably of flat iron or steel tube and of rectangular form, terminating at one of its ends in two beveled and rounded noses; while at the other end is a cross piece 15 traversed by a connecting eye-bolt 19 on which is a nut 14, also check nuts 16 and washers 17 bearing a ga-inst spring 18. Attachment pieces 13 fixed to the longitudinal frame members allow of the sieve or other sorting contrivance, that is to be used, tobe operated. V

The frame 1 is connected by links 5 and? to the frame 2 whichis similar to frame 1 in respect of the shape and construction but is different as to its front-extremity which terminates in beak-like parts movable about the axis or bar 4:1. These beaks may be of tempered steel and are furnished with a. tail part 61 retained in position by a spring 62 fixed to the longitudinal bearers of frame 2. The two frames land 2 znemovable about axes or rods 45, 46 and 50, 51 respectively, and the whole assemblage is movable around lower axes or rods 47, 52 fixed to the machine frame, the rodsl5 and 50 being connected with rods 17,52 by links 6 and 8.

Two suitable springs 32 are fixed each at one end to the axis 51 and at the other end to a bar 57 which is itself attached to the center of the piece 58 by the threaded rod 35. The two frames. are thus drawn against the abutment piece 3 keyed to a shaft 4:3 which is supported on a standard 3 1. A pair of arms 33 alsofixed to a shaft 13, tend to keep piece 3 in position by means of the threaded rod 38' and springs 59 bearing against the cross piece 37 Nut 50 permits of the tension of the spring to be regulated. The upper frame is supported on the axes or spindles 48, 53 which are themselves supported respectively by the pairs of links 9 10 and 11 and 12.

The links 9 and 11 pivot respectivelyabout rods or spindles 17 and 52 and links 10 and 12 are connected respectively by the parts 49 and 5a to a carrier 42 movable on rollers 40, 41, adapted to roll alon the bottom of the recesses 55, 56 arranged in the base of the apparatus and adapted to serve as guides for the rollers.

The carrier is maintained in position by the screwed rod 39 which, under the action of a spring 31, is supported on the abut ment 38.

The device for producinga reciprocating movement is constituted by a cam 22 keyed to a shaft 63 driven by pulley 30, the assemblage bein carried by the support 21.

fin-arm 28, movable about axis or spindle 29 is provided at its upper end with: aroller 23. inter osed between two shock-absorbing caoutchouc rollers 24. A yoke clip 25, adjustable in position along the arm 28 by means ofthe screwed bolts 26, 27, transmits the movement of the arm 28 to the frame 1 by means of the link 20. Most of the parts on the device may be in duplicate and arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal central plane passing through bolt 19.

The operation of the apparatus as follows :lVit-h the shaft 63turning in the dibe regulated.

rection of the arrow the roller rolls on the cam 22 and imparts to the arm 28 a uniformly accelerated rearward movement until the arm assumes the position shown in Fig. 16 The frames are thus pulled rearwardly by the link 20, attached to arm 28, in such a way that by the movement of the links 5, 6, '7, 8 and 9, 10, 11, 12 about the respective axes or pivots, the frame 1 dcscends from a higher to the lower position indicated in l 16,. being loweredto an extent that can be regulated. The spring 18 becomes compressed and nut 11 bears on the cross piece 15 while springs 32 are stretched. The carrier has meanwhile recoiled, acting on spring 31, and the stop 3 is raised by the ference between an operation when the lower frame is shifted by engagement with the stop 3 and an operation when: the lower frame is not shifted, according as it is desired to impart a vauning movement (with the return path above the advance path) or a pitching movement (with the return path below),

In cases wherein. the return path is to be above the advance path, the frame 1, when the cam turns from the position in Fig. 16 through a further-180, will, ow' 1" to the form of the cam and under the influence of the spring 32, move rapidly forward and push the abutment 3, which thereupon transmits a movement to frame 2 so that the toggle links 5, 6 and 7, 8 open and thereby raise frame 1. At the same time, the carrier l2 will advance and assume a position wherein it will receive frame 1 at the moment when it descends at a reversal of the direction of motion.

According to the adj ustment effected, each point of frame 1 describes curves of the kind indicated in F l to l), and at the rate of several hundred a minute according to the speed of working.

A rapid horizontal movement is thus transformed into a rising movement at the same speed, or, in other words, a horizontal movement is converted into a vertical one.

Arm28 being sharply advanced, the rollers 21 will abut against spindle G3. The frame 1 continues its movement as long as the in creasing compression of spring 18 between the side of the frame and nuts 16 will allow.

This extension of movement is regulated at the will of the operator; also, the tension of springs 32, the length of the path of the carrier and the recoil of the abutment can The amplitude of the movements is adjusted partly by varying the position of the yoke 25 along arm 28 and partly by regulating the tension of spring 18.

in cases wherein the return path is below the advance path, that is to say when no shifting of the lower frame occurs, the shaft 43 is adjusted in position by fixing the supports 34: at such a height that the beaks 4: of frame 2 will become free from engagement with stop 3 at the moment when the upper frame arrives at the end of its forward movement. All the other parts are adjusted in a manner to cause the frame to rise to a maximum before the beaks escape. Accord ing to the adjustment, frame 1 descends more or less quickly and any point of the frame will describe a curve of the kind indicated in Figs. 7 to 11.

The beaks 4: passing below the lower branch of the abutment 3, their springs 62 come into action during the recoil to set them afresh in normal position for the next advance.

The movements of the frames described above are applicable to operations for the concentration and to the separation of minerals, for example. If on frame 1 is fixed a riflled or smooth table a good separation of the finer and more adherent mineral portions may be brought about.

By replacing the table by an appropriate sieve, either a volumetric classification of the materials under treatment can be obtained, or a sorting of the materials, or a sorting according to their form.

By way of example, there is represented in Figs. 17 and 18, a table whose inclination can be adjusted in two directions, and which can be attached to the frame 1.

If it be not necessary to give the table 64 a longitudinal slope, it can be fixed directly to the hinges 13 of'frame 1. The hand wheel 65, keyed to the screw rod 66 which is adapted to actuate the links 67, 68, allows any desired transverse inclination to the table.

To permit of a longitudinal inclination being given to the table, the latter can be fixed to hinges 69 on an intermediate member 7 0 capable of pivoting about an axis 71. By means of hand wheel 72, fixed to the screw rod 73, the parts 74, 7 5 can be operated by means of links 7 6 in a manner to give the table the desired inclination.

By operating wheels 72 and 65 any desired inclination can be given to the table both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction.

The table is provided, if necessary, with parts for watering the riftles and for recovering of the products.

The compound movement, reciprocating and of variable amplitude, described above can be applied to the whole area of the table, sieve or other analogous appliance, or to a longitudinal or transverse zone only.

The device may comprise a single or a double table.

Having now fully described and ascertained my said invention and the manner in 'which it is to be performed, I declarethat what I claim is 1. In sorting and separating apparatu whose sorting element, such as a sieve or equivalent appliance, is given reciprocating movements in the air or a liquid, a device for controlling the movements of the said appliance comprising: an upper frame on which the latter is mounted; a lower frame; links connecting the two frames to each other; links connecting the lower frame to the stationary base of the apparatus; toggle links supporting the upper frame and one end of which is connected to the stationary base; a carriage to which the other end of said toggle links is connected; a spring acting on said carriage in the proper direction to raise the joint of the toggle links; a means of moving the upper frame backward; a spring adapted to rapidly move the said upper frame forward; and a spring abutment piece for the frames pivotally mounted between its ends on a horizontal axis in front of said frames.

2. A controlling device for sorting and separating apparatus of the kind mentioned in claim 1 comprising: an upper frame on which the sorting element is mounted; 'a lower frame; links connecting the two frames to each other; links connecting the lower frame to the stationary base of the apparatus; toggle links supporting the upper frame and one end of which is connccted to the stationary base; a carriage to which the other end of said toggle links is connected; a spring acting on said carriage in the proper direction to raise the joint of the toggle links; a means of moving the upper frame backward; a spring adapted to rapidly move the said upper frame forward; a spring abutment piece for the frames, pivotally mounted between its ends on a horizontal axis in front of said frames;

a means of changing the level of the pivot of said abutment piece; and spring-returned beak pieces pivoted on the front end of the lower frame.

3. A controlling device for sorting and V separating apparatus of the kind mentioned in claims 1 and 2 comprising: an upper frame on which the sorting element is mounted; a lower frame; links connecting the two frames to each other; links connecting the lower frame to the stationary base of the apparatus; toggle links supporting the upper frame and one end of which is connected to the stationary base; a carriage to which the other end of said toggle links is connected; a spring acting on said carriage in the proper direction to raise the joint of the toggle links; a cam adapted to move the upper frame backward; a lever pivoted on the fixed base of the apparatus; a link connected 'at one end to the rear end the other end of said link to any desired point of the above said pivoted lever; a cam acting on the upper end of said pivoted lever to move the upper frame backward; a spring adapted to rapidly move said upper frame forward; and a spring abutment piece, for the frames pivotally mounted between its ends on a horizontal axis in front of said frames.

at. A controlling device for sorting and separating apparatus of the kind mentioned in claims 1, 2 and 3 comprising: an upper frame on which the sorting element is mounted; a lower frame; links connecting the two frames to each other; links connecting the lower frame to the stationary base of the apparatus; toggle links supporting the upper frame and one end of which is connected to the stationary base; a carriage to which the other end of said toggle links is connected; an adjustable spring acting on said carriage in the proper direction to raise the joint of the toggle links; a means of moving the upper frame backward through an adjustable spring, a spring end on the latter and at the other end to nuts; a longitudinal screw provided with right and left hand threads and passing through said nuts; and a hand on the screw to turn it in order to incline said appliance transversely at will.

-6. In a controlling device for sorting and separating apparatus of the kind mentioned in claims 1, 2, 3 and i, a member pivotally connected to one end of the upper frame of such controlling device;'a transverse screw mounted on said upper frame and provided with right and left hand threads; nuts 011 this screw; links respectively pivoted at one end on said nuts and at the other end to the above mentioned pivoted member; a hand on said screw to turn it in order to incline the pivoted member in the longitudinal direction; on one side of said pivoted member hinges connecting it to the sorting appliance; a longitudinal screw on said pivoted member, provided with right and left hand threads; nuts on this screw; links pivoted on said nuts at one end and on the sorting appliance at the other end; and a hand on said longitudinal screw to turn it in order to incline the sorting appliance in the transverse direction.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of two witnesses, this 6th day of December, 1917.

RENE EMILE TROTTIER.

Witnesses:

CHAs. P. PRnssLY, CHARLES ASHBY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

